Hierarchy of Strategic Knowledge

 

Hierarchy of Strategic Knowledge

Introduction

In looking at a variety of strategies and tactics, I thought it would be beneficial to develop priority guidelines of knowledge acquisition for competitive strategies. While rudimentary, I believe the following concepts hold true for most competitions. 

1. KNOW THE ENVIRONMENT

2. KNOW THE SELF

3. KNOW THE OPPONENT

The proportion of knowledge in each section will vary from each person, place, and competition; however, I believe the following prioritization will optimize knowledge acquisition beginning with environmental knowledge, followed by self knowledge and capped by knowledge of the opponent is preferential in development of strategy.

Strategic Knowledge Hierarchy Breakdown

1. The first priority when collecting knowledge for the implementation of a strategy for any sort of competition is, KNOW THE ENVIRONMENT. It is necessary for a player to understand what the arena of competition is and what the boundaries are.

The environment includes not only the setting of a competition, but also the rules and laws of that environment. A game, broken down, is comprised of positives and negatives; however, if we add another layer to the environment such as the physical properties of the room, field, etc., the complexities grow as these layers are added. One must be able to break down the environment and understand and simplify the base laws that apply to the environment before adding additional layers of complexity to their knowledge base.

2. The second priority in knowledge acquisition is that one should accurately evaluate one's skills and capabilities. In other words, to KNOW THE SELF. It is important to fully grasp how one interacts with the environment and one's own limitations within this environment. 

This can be very difficult to do because of internal biases and external biases. The first makes it difficult to accurately determine one's level because of the mindset held by oneself. For instance, overconfidence can lead to one's ruin, but having no confidence at all will lead to inaction.  External biases relate to the environment and how one is perceived. Learning one's accurate position in the competition is difficult to find out, but it should be attempted. This is used to develop an understanding of the relationship between oneself, competitors, and the environment. This means that it is desired and necessary to take the one's capabilities and perception in relation with their environment into account. This helps accurately gauge one's place in a competition.

3. The last priority of knowledge acquisition is that one must KNOW THE OPPONENT. To approximate what you are facing in competition helps curate more tailored strategies that effectively deal with the strengths and weaknesses.

Of all the facets of competition this is the hardest to accurately perceive, as an opponent is an autonomous being and will be able to think and adapt to whatever strategy is taken against them. This is not to say preparation in this area is useless, far from it. People tend to keep a mental model or mindset that makes them exhibit the same strengths and weaknesses. However, beware of the opponent who is fast or adaptable, and prepare for the one that is both by putting oneself in their position. This will allow you to play to your opponent's motivations within their own capabilities.

Categories of Strategic Knowledge

Conclusion

Therefore to develop useful knowledge in the preparation of strategy, start with knowledge of the environment followed by knowledge of oneself and finally by knowledge of the opponent. If one follows these rules for knowledge and preparation of strategy, winning is not guaranteed, but one vastly increases the odds in their favor and changes oneself on how they strategize and compete.

*This was an overall theory that I wrote covering knowledge to acquire in the preparation of strategy in competitions. 2015 Hong Kong*